Soap Nuts: A Multipurpose Product

Remember that post we wrote about soap nuts a few days back? Well, let me tell you something – we are in LOVE with these babies. Not only are they dirt cheap, and great for the environment and your overall health compared to other cleaning products, but they really, really work. So far, we have had much success in using soap nuts to wash our clothes. They come out super soft and fresh, much better than the dried out clothes and towels and sheets that traditional detergent often produces. Today, I noticed that we were running low on window cleaner. Instead of picking up a new bottle, I decided to use the soap nuts to make my own. What happened next was awesome.

DIY window cleaner

How many of you have pets? We have a beautiful corgi named Luna. I love her to pieces, really I do. However, like a child, dogs are messy. The shedding and “accidents” and nose slobber are sometimes too much for this neat freak to handle. Luna loves to sit at the front window and bark at passersby. THIS is the result…

A little difficult to see, I know. But on that window are streaks and patches of slobber. I am constantly washing these which means that I am constantly buying new window cleaner, until today! Now I can make my own. Here is how…

Step 1: Boil them down

Take a few soap nuts and place them in a pot of water (I used 4). The more soap nuts you add, the more potent the final product. Bring the water to a boil, then simmer for a few minutes until the shells become soft and/or discolored (turning a light tan or gray color). When this happens, the saponin has been released from the shells.

Step 2: Cool & Strain

Let the liquid cool down and, if needed, strain the liquid. We skipped this last step as we didn’t see too many fragments floating around.

Step 3: Bottle that magic

Store the liquid in an air-tight container. Mr. GGC and I cleaned out the old window cleaner spray bottle and poured the new cleaner back in using a measuring cup with a lip.

Step 4: Enjoy!

Spray the liquid onto any glass surface. This product works just as well as, if not better than, traditional glass cleaners (in our experience). No streaks. No strong, chemical scents. And YOU made it, which makes the entire thing even more satisfying. This took approximately 45 minutes to make. So worth it!

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